Q: How long have you been with Community Health Plan of Washington and what is your current role?
I have been with Community Health Plan of Washington since Halloween of 2016! It was a spooktacular first day on the job. I work with our amazing Customer Service department. I began as a Customer Service Representative 1 and moved on up to my current role… Customer Service Team Lead! My current position consists of assisting our management team and our Customer Service Representatives. We on the Customer Service team are the first ones to get connected with our members and providers. My job is to make sure that we continue to follow our core values and that our representatives have the support to assist our callers with any questions or issues they have.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about your work at CHPW?
For the last two years, I have had the pleasure of working with our Customer Service superstars. I have had my share of talking to our members, assisting them with complex issues. I enjoy working with this department because they do their best every day with helping our members. All of our representatives are the definition of hard workers. They’re an inspiration to everyone in CHPW.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in health care?
I was referred by an employee to apply in the Customer Service department. While I was applying, CHPW’s core values, history, and commitment to our members drew me in. I grew up in a low-income household. Our income was limited, but thankfully not our health care coverage. I grew up with Medicaid coverage. The reason why I pursued a career with CHPW is because I want to give back to my community. I want to assist these families who deserve to have health care coverage that will not leave them in crippling debt.

Q: What is something you have recently learned or accomplished that you are proud of?
One of the best lessons that I have learned while I’ve been with CHPW is … teamwork makes the dream work! Many of our accomplishments as a company and as a department would not have been possible without the constant support, communication and accountability of our team.

Q: If you have visitors from out of town, where do you like to take them to experience Seattle or the Pacific Northwest?
Oh, there are so many places to go! Our first stop would have to be one of our favorite pupuseria restaurants in Auburn, Belen Pupuseria. This shop is family-owned and they make the best pupusas! Since its recent renovation, one of our stops is the Space Needle! I’m afraid of heights, but I try to get over my fear of walking on a 520-foot-high glass floor overlooking the Puget Sound. I like to give our visitors the best Seattle tourist experience.